Magnetism and the absence of superconductivity in the praseodymium–silicon system doped with carbon and boron

We searched for new structural, magnetic and superconductivity phases in the Pr–Si system using high-pressure high-temperature and arc melting syntheses. Both high and low Si concentration areas of the phase diagram were explored. Although a similar approach in the La–Si system produced new stable superconducting phases, in the Pr–Si system we did not find any new superconductors. At low Si concentrations, the arc-melted samples were doped with C or B. It was found that addition of C gave rise to multiple previously unknown ferromagnetic phases. Furthermore, X-ray refinement of the undoped samples confirmed the existence of the so far elusive Pr3Si2 phase. - Highlights: • Study of the Pr–Si system using HP–HT or doping with C and B. • New magnetic phases in the Pr–Si system doped with C. • Confirmation of the existence of the Pr3Si2 phase